GPS performance?

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There are two vids posted on Youtube showing GPS tests. Neither one shows what I consider good accuracy.

Here's the outside test. If you watch closely the accuracy fluctuates between 6 and 28 meters, and is pretty unstable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SHJ6wFi7H8

6m is ok, though not great, but 28m is pretty bad. And the jumping around is disconcerting.

In this one it never gets below about 111ft, which is also quite bad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuCZ75r2GZY

It is performed inside, but I typically get under 30ft inside with my Galaxy S. I understand "inside" is variable depending on the type of structure, but he's getting a lock on at least 8 sats, 6 with SNR's in the 20's, so the accuracy should be decent.

I'm hoping in both cases the videos are just too short and they would settle down within a minute or so with good, stable accuracy, but this preliminary sample is not as good as I was hoping for.

Any comments from current S2 owners?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by samnada

There are two vids posted on Youtube showing GPS tests. Neither one shows what I consider good accuracy.

Here's the outside test. If you watch closely the accuracy fluctuates between 6 and 28 meters, and is pretty unstable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SHJ6wFi7H8

6m is ok, though not great, but 28m is pretty bad. And the jumping around is disconcerting.

In this one it never gets below about 111ft, which is also quite bad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuCZ75r2GZY

It is performed inside, but I typically get under 30ft inside with my Galaxy S. I understand "inside" is variable depending on the type of structure, but he's getting a lock on at least 8 sats, 6 with SNR's in the 20's, so the accuracy should be decent.

I'm hoping in both cases the videos are just too short and they would settle down within a minute or so with good, stable accuracy, but this preliminary sample is not as good as I was hoping for.

Any comments from current S2 owners?

Thanks.

Like you said, indoors is not the the best place to test.
Also the accuracy estimate is just that. It gives you possible error.
My Nexus S accuracy within 78 feet but its bang on with location in map ( hell it shows me even on the right side of the road. ).
The best way to test stationary GPS accuracy is to go to easy to recognize outdoor location and then try to get a lock.
Even with 30 meter accuracy in Google Map, usually GPS shows my exact position.

Do a tracking while driving and see how accurate the navigation is .

Haven't done a "proper" test yet but having used navigation a couple of times now I can say that it's far quicker and more reliable than my ancient SGS1. There was also an engadget article about GPS performance -
http://tinyurl.com/6y4ncfd

Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

http://domarmstrong.blogspot.com/201...y-s-2-gps.html

I did a quick test with MyTracks and it got it spot on. I was actually a little worried. I've not done a test with Google Nav / car mode yet but I'll pilfer a car over the next couple of days and post up the results!

Originally Posted by Funkym0nkey

Also the accuracy estimate is just that. It gives you possible error.

Yes, but this margin of error is a very imortant piece of data (for any kind of measurement, really), that's vitally important for the further processing of the location data. As long as the accuracy data is correct any algorithms can safely assume you really are inside a certain radius. If it isn't the location data is basically worthless. (The "but it's spot on anyway" argument only works if you already know exactly where you are, but then the GPS is sort of a moot point.)
Naturally it's better to err on the side of caution and assume slightly worse than calculated accuracy, but on the other hand a 20 m radius is pretty much worthless for a lot of applications.

That's exactly why proper tests should be done - before you test each phone vs a reference GPS and a few landmarks with known high precision coordinates you can't even tell if the accuracy reading the phone's GPS gives is accurate in itself. It's entirely possible that LG and HTC fudge their numbers just to look good, while Samsung is a bit over-cautious, but we don't know that and I like to know things.

We just don't have enough data yet to conclude Samsung has fixed the GPS problems.

The two videos I linked are not very impressive. And the Endgadget test is hard to judge. He says it's "pretty close" in locating him on the map, but we can't tell what that means, 20ft, 60ft? The track log posted by Dombledore is also hard to judge without knowing his actual track.

Part of the problem in testing this is even with my S sometimes it works great, and then the next time it's way off. Getting consistent quick locks, and high accuracy will tell the tale. For driving, geocaching and track logging this is a critical function. If the S2 isn't a major improvement over the S it will be a no-go for many.

Thanks in advance for any additional updates.

Originally Posted by samnada

We just don't have enough data yet to conclude Samsung has fixed the GPS problems.

The two videos I linked are not very impressive. And the Endgadget test is hard to judge. He says it's "pretty close" in locating him on the map, but we can't tell what that means, 20ft, 60ft? The track log posted by Dombledore is also hard to judge without knowing his actual track.

Part of the problem in testing this is even with my S sometimes it works great, and then the next time it's way off. Getting consistent quick locks, and high accuracy will tell the tale. For driving, geocaching and track logging this is a critical function. If the S2 isn't a major improvement over the S it will be a no-go for many.

Thanks in advance for any additional updates.

Hello!

I did a more extensive route with MyTracks. It's pretty impressive!!

Blog entry is here, with a google-maps import of the .gpx file: http://domarmstrong.blogspot.com/201...-mytracks.html

Originally Posted by Dombledore

Hello!

I did a more extensive route with MyTracks. It's pretty impressive!!

Blog entry is here, with a google-maps import of the .gpx file: http://domarmstrong.blogspot.com/201...-mytracks.html

That looks very good.

Really appreciate you taking the time to do this test and post it.

Wish I could get my hands on an S2 before Q3.

Here is an comparison with Nexus S. Look at 8:00 for a indoor GPS comparison, it looks good for SGS2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqSeXL7fw5o